I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 532: What are you doing with the carbon block?

The scholars who had come to watch the spectacle burst into laughter. They whispered among themselves, their faces full of mockery. "Haha, let's see how she paints now, she'll probably have to admit defeat!" "That's right, without her tools, what skills does she have left?"

Liu Ruyan, in a shrill voice, mocked with disdain, "I knew it! Fang Xiaoxiao is a piece of trash! Her wins before were all due to luck. When it came to the real fight, she was exposed." Her sharp, piercing voice echoed throughout the arena, filled with contempt and provocation.

Fang Xiaoxiao listened to these people's mockery without even frowning, her eyes full of disdain.

She was too lazy to waste words with these people, so she turned to Ouyang Tuoba beside her and ordered, "Tuoba, go find me a piece of charcoal."

Ouyang Tuoba was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he still nodded without hesitation and turned to look for the charcoal.

Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing, and Zhou Wenjian were also puzzled, exchanging confused glances. However, seeing Fang Xiaoxiao's calm demeanor, they didn't ask any further questions.

Fang Xiaoxiao gracefully walked to a chair and sat down, picking up some pastries from the table and leisurely eating them, occasionally sipping her tea as if this were not a tense competition, but a leisurely afternoon tea. Her elegant and composed movements contrasted sharply with the tense and mocking atmosphere around her.

Seeing Fang Xiaoxiao's appearance, the people around her laughed even more unscrupulously, believing that she had given up the competition and was ready to admit defeat.

Fang Xiaoxiao, however, didn't care at all. She continued to enjoy the food in her hands at a leisurely pace, her eyes sparkling with confidence, as if she was waiting for the right moment to give these people a big surprise.

A moment later, Ouyang Tuoba appeared hurriedly, carrying a piece of charcoal.

He handed the charcoal block to Fang Xiaoxiao, his eyes still showing a hint of worry, as if he was concerned that Fang Xiaoxiao might do something foolish.

The sycophantic scholar, who was intently drawing Liu Ruyan, glanced up and saw the charcoal in Fang Xiaoxiao's hand. He was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. His laughter was sharp and piercing, as if it could pierce through the oppressive air.

He put down his paintbrush, straightened up, pointed at Fang Xiaoxiao, his face full of mockery: "Hahahaha, Fang Xiaoxiao, are you not even going to act anymore? Holding a piece of charcoal, are you planning to swallow it to commit suicide, so you won't embarrass yourself here? I think you should just admit defeat and stop pretending!"

Liu Ruyan also sneered, crossing her arms and looking at her with contempt: "Hmph, I knew she couldn't do it. She only won by sheer luck before. Now that she doesn't have any decent tools, she can only pretend to be something she's not, it's utterly ridiculous."

The onlookers, upon hearing the two men's words, began to echo their sentiments, and the area was soon filled with various sounds of ridicule and mockery.

"Exactly, I think she's just being stubborn and putting on a show. I really don't know what she's thinking."

"He probably knew he was going to lose and was too ashamed to show his face."

Princess Li Wan'er looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with worry on her face. She quickly walked to Fang Xiaoxiao's side, took her hand, and asked softly, "Xiaoxiao, what are you doing with the charcoal? Don't do anything foolish."

Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing, and Zhou Wenjian also gathered around, their eyes filled with concern and anxiety. Long Jinyan frowned, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Wife, it's just a competition. We can always start over. Don't hurt yourself because of this."

Murong Changqing also gently advised from the side, "Yes, Xiaoxiao, we are all by your side. Don't give up on yourself because of this win or loss."

Zhou Wenjian said anxiously, "Wife, no matter the outcome, we will support you. If you feel wronged, we won't participate in this competition."

Fang Xiaoxiao listened to their words until her ears were practically calloused. She smiled helplessly, waved her hand, and said, "Don't worry about it. Don't be anxious. Let things take their course. I know what I'm doing and won't do anything foolish."

Despite hearing Fang Xiaoxiao's words, the group still looked worried and couldn't help but sigh.

They exchanged glances, both seeing worry in each other's eyes. Someone whispered, "Sigh, she must be heartbroken because Pei Yan doesn't want her anymore, that's why she's so self-destructive."

Although the words were not spoken loudly, they still reached Fang Xiaoxiao's ears.

Her body stiffened slightly, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible sadness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

He took a deep breath, gripped the charcoal block tightly, and stared ahead with a determined look, as if waiting for an opportunity to prove himself and dispel the faint sorrow in his heart.

The mocking voices around her continued to rise and fall, as if trying to drown her out...

Adding foreshadowing to the story makes the plot more engaging. A moment later, Ouyang Tuoba appeared hurriedly, carrying a piece of charcoal.